Antimagic Academy 35th Test Platoon - Volume 01 - Eienherjar wakes Read online

  Usually Takeru didn't mind fooling around, but this time he was completely against it.

  It was like Ikaruga said, stealing information from other platoons is allowed. But Takeru thought of it as something really bad. When he was small, there was someone because of whose wrongdoings Takeru suffered a trauma.

  Doing bad things will definitely bite back at you. That's what Takeru has been taught, even now he adheres to that teaching.

  Usagi put her hand on his shoulder as he drew closer to Ikaruga.

  "Kusanagi... I like that part of you."

  "Usagi... you get it right...!"

  "Please don't call me by my name! And I meant that I like your sensitive side that's against illegal acts, don't misunderstand."

  "Indeed, you should be rewarded for something you accomplish fair and square, that's how it should be."

  Takeru advocated a proper way of doing things.

  But Usagi looked delighted and closed in on his face, her eyes bloodshot, she held his shoulder as if she wanted to crush it.

  "I said I like it, but now it's not the time for that! There's no time to argue whether it's right or wrong! We'll become complete losers at this rate!"

  Takeru thought they're already are a group of losers, but he did not say it.

  Usagi excitedly tried to convince Takeru.

  "Are you okay with that!? Didn't you want to make money?"

  "Ugh... indeed, I do..."

  Takeru's heart was wavering. Indeed, he had to make money. His household had huge financial problems. There's was his little sister too. He has to clear their debt while paying for their living expenses To be honest, he wanted to get rid of those problems even if he had to sell his soul to a devil.

  Takeru's stomachache got more intense.

  At that time, suddenly the door of the platoon's room was opened with a lot of force.

  "Gooood afternoooooonnnn!! Children!"

  The team members' gazes shifted to door at high speed.

  After confirming who the person was, Takeru and Usagi paled.

  Standing there, with long flowing white hair, and a pretty face. A person for whom a rosy background would be suitable stood in front and pulled out an odd pose.

  AntiMagic Academy's chairman, Sougetsu Ootori.

  "Chairman...?!"

  "Indeed it is I, the chairman! Surprised? Or did I fire a blank?"

  Sougetsu said flatly, and laughed with a "HAHAHA".

  Why was the person with the highest authority in the academy in a place like this.

  A situation that seemed like a lie, the two were restless wondering about that.

  "Hey, it's bad, he came at the perfect time. It's as if he heard us just now."

  "Eh, no wait it's still too early to say that, we still can't be sure... calm down."

  The two whispered to each other while sweating profusely.

  Unlike those two, Ikaruga faced Sougetsu calmly while sitting on her chair humming.

  "What is it, do you have so much spare time that you visit a bar-like platoon like this?"

  "That's a wonderful expression, Ikaruga-kun! Also, I'm this school's chairman, shouldn't you pay me more respect?"

  Sougetsu protested, Ikaruga looked at him with scornful eyes as if she wanted to spit on him.

  Takeru broke out in cold sweat.

  "I respect only the ones I love. So, what did you come here for."

  Ikaruga spit out those words in rapid succession, it was inexcusable now as her attitude was downright rude. And responsibility for that fell on Takeru as her captain.

  Takeru panicked and trembled.

  The chairman thought of Ikaruga's harsh rebuttal as funky! He had an easygoing smile.

  "Hahaha, you're cheeky as ever. Nah, I just came for a little inspection. After all, your 35th platoon has that kind of reputation."

  "I see. So you came to adore the faces of the outcasts. Did you come to fire us?"

  "No no, what reached my ears are only awful rumours, but I think this is a really nice platoon."

  Sougetsu walked around the room with a hand on his chin and looked in each member's face.

  First Ikaruga with whom he was already acquainted, through Usagi, and in the end he stood in front of Takeru.

  Takeru stood upright, unmoving, stuck solid like the pillars of a house.

  Sougetsu leaned so close their noses almost touched and stared at Takeru's face.

  "It's been a while Kusanagi-kun, the last time we met was during the middle school entrance ceremony was it not?

  "I-indeed, chairman."

  Sougetsu spoke to him in friendly manner; he was acquainted with the chairman just like Ikaruga. He was called to chairman's office before, around the time of middle school opening ceremony.

  The conversation they had back then... his heart shrank as he remembered it. He had to admit that back then, Takeru was a naive, arrogant brat.

  It was certainly, "I'll knock you down from that seat" or something like that.

  Now it was unthinkable for him, such a dreadful thing.

  Takeru was unable to speak in front of him now. Sougetsu made a questioning look.

  "Oh? Were you that kind of character? You used to have an evil look in your eyes, as if you wanted to kill me."

  "Ha-hahaha, sorry. That's because I was in puberty back then."

  "I don't know what changed your mind, but it's good. I wish my daughter would follow suit."

  Sougetsu laughed gently, as if he was watching a child.

  And again, because of his looks, one couldn't clearly tell whether he was a woman or a man. To begin with, he never stated that he was a man. None in the school had any evidence that could help determine his gender. There was nothing more mysterious than him. That's the impression you got from the students.

  After examining Takeru with a knowing smile he nodded.

  "In any case, as far as your platoon's results go, you never get any compliments. I won't pursue who is responsible for that. Survival of you three outcasts' platoon is at stake. I want to avoid that as well, because I really like you guys."

  Takeru's stomach started screaming.

  "That's why I prepared supplemental personnel for 35th platoon."

  A backup soldier. Just because there's a problem with earning credits, changing members shouldn't be allowed.

  Usagi whispered to Takeru.

  "What's going on? It's unheard of to have replenishment personnel."

  "Even if you ask me... I haven't heard about any of it before."

  As Takeru was wondering, Sougetsu turned towards the door and said.

  "Come in."

  After a few seconds, there was the squeaky sound of the door being opened slowly.

  "――――"

  That moment, Takeru's heart almost stopped.

  An unforgettable existence has appeared. Someone who could be called the beginning and the end of all for Takeru. Those eyes from two years ago, the absolute strength seen in the darkness that has shattered Takeru's confidence once, that detestable existence.

  The owner of the hair that could be called sunset-coloured, like a sun sinking in the horizon. A beautiful girl that looked like she came out of myths,

  "She is an ex-Witch HunterDullahan, Ootori Ouka-kun. She transferred into this high school, please get along well."

  "Nice to meet you."

  "By the way, she's my daughter! We look alike right? Like for example our cute noses and eyebrows! As you can see, she's my daughter through and through☆"

  "I'm his stepdaughter. We're not connected by blood, please do not misunderstand."

  The girl named Ootori Ouka pointed out. Sougetsu put on a mysterious smile, no one knew what made his tension rise so much, and no one is ever bothered with him acting like this in front of the students.

  Usagi beside Takeru seemed to be familiar with Ouka. She had a morose expression.

  "I know of Ouka Ootori, she obtained qualifications for joining the Inquisition in middle school, it took her only
a year and a half."

  "............"

  "Said to be a genius that also has influential family... she got promoted without putting much effort... you think so too, right?"

  "................"

  "...Kusanagi?"

  After not getting a reply for her question, Usagi looked at Takeru's face beside her.

  Takeru's mouth was shut tight. He was looking at Ootori Ouka without blinking.

  "You know her?"

  "...yes... she's my former classmate."

  Takeru replied tersely and softened his expression. Usagi felt that there was something amiss, and faced Ikaruga. If Ouka was in the same class as Takeru, then so was Ikaruga. She was looking at Ouka, and asked Sougetsu blandly.

  "Why did Ouka Ootori stop being a Witch HunterDullahan and came to our platoon? You ignored the rules and enlisted her here... is there a reason for that?"

  "...hmm, that's because..."

  Sougetsu put a finger on his forehead looking troubled. Ouka's platoon members moved a step closer.

  "Sorry, I can't tell you the reason."

  "We're going to work together as comrades now. Isn't it expected to try to understand each other better?"

  Although she was reluctant to achieve that mutual understanding, Ikaruga still said so.

  Ouka thought about it for a second.

  "That has nothing to do with you."

  She closed her eyes and answered clearly.

  "You haven't changed at all, have you."

  Ikaruga shook her head and didn't say anything else.

  It looked like Ouka's and Ikaruga's personalities were incompatible. She was astonished by her bad attitude.

  That was when Ouka noticed Takeru staring at her.

  He tried to avert his gaze, but Ouka was looking straight at him. He gave in and spoke to her.

  "I-it's been a while, Ootori."

  "............"

  "...how are you?"

  Ouka squinted at Takeru who asked the question.

  Takeru broke out in sweat remembering that time. His impression back then was the worst, but it could be called a pretty strong one, it was one on one deathmatch and he was beaten until his arms and legs gave out.

  They never had a normal conversation, but initial impression should be enough.

  "............"

  Ouka looked at him with wariness and aversion, like at a beast.

  It looked like she hates him after all. Takeru dropped down on his seat.

  Right after that,

  Ouka opened her mouth and said to him.

  "...who are you?"

  ...*thud*.

  Takeru's knees gave out and his shoulders dropped.

  Rather than hating him, she didn't even remember him.

  Chapter 2 - Sortie! Small Fry Platoon!

  Part 1

  Outside of school premises, a backstreet in downtown, beside the venture company buildings that had recruitment posters on it, in the corner of the street was a seemingly deserted building.

  The 35th Platoon's members were already set up on their positions.

  It was a building built around 10 years ago and without any special features. It used to be utilized by trading companies, but currently nobody used it. Rooms on all floors were vacant.

  The target for seizure is a D-rank Magical Heritage 『Trackless Psalms』.

  The four of them including Ouka were to perform their mission as planned.

  『"For the time being, wouldn't it be better to be on standby together with me on your first day?"』

  Ikaruga asked her during the briefing. Ouka confirmed her choice as she dismantled her gun for maintenance.

  『"No problem, I'll participate."』

  『"Is that so, that's fine then. But aren't you pretty motivated."』

  『"No matter what kind of mission is it, using full force is my principle. Don't worry, I won't pull your leg. I'll move according to Captain's orders."』

  As she assembled her gun once again, she moved her gaze towards Takeru.

  Seeing Takeru practising swings with a specialized baton, she started blinking surprised.

  『"Show me your abilities... Kusanagi Takeru."』

  The words Ouka said were enough to put heavy pressure on Takeru.

  "...haa."

  He sighed trying to get rid of the unpleasant feeling.

  Ikaruga remained in the platoon room as an operator in charge of communication.

  Usagi was on the roof of the building across the street on standby, she was in charge of sniping.

  Ouka was supposed to infiltrate from the front door.

  Takeru was going to enter by the back door.

  "There's nobody guarding the back door, how about you Ootori?"

  《"........ No sight of enemy here either."》

  "O-okay, let's go."

  Communication was switched over to Ikaruga, the operator.

  《"The trading organization shouldn't be that great, at most they're just a small gang."》

  "How do you know that?"

  《"The thug that stole 『Trackless Psalms』 probably won't trade with a large organization because the risks are too big."》

  Ikaruga's words seemed quite convincing.

  The fact that the other party is small was good for them.

  And the target Magical Heritage's class is high too, if the enemy organization were too strong their authorization for dispatch would be taken back. It was within the level of mission accessible for students so application was approved.

  But it was still dangerous, the amount of AntiMagic Academy's students dying every year is quite big. Even though the risk has been classified as low, sometimes unfortunate events happen sometimes.

  Wary of the back door, he invaded the building together with Ouka.

  "They're quite an irresponsible bunch, is the deal really going to happen here?"

  "I'm going to proceed. I leave my back to you Captain, asking for authorization."

  "Y-yeah, go."

  Covering each other, they move forward gradually.

  That being said, Takeru didn't have any guns he just had a baton and a sword by his waist, so he felt uncool. Although the baton was advantageous when fighting in an enclosed space, but aside from special circumstances like that, a gun was better.

  Ouka on the other hand, had a pistol and a baton. The pistol was an automatic one, and even though it was the same model as the one used by the police, it was made by Inquisition's Alchemist Corps so it's been modified to an anti-magic firearm. Its pride is compact size and stability. Made in a way that makes it fit even in hands of women and children. Though, in contrast to that, its power posed problems.

  That weapon is now loaded with anaesthesia bullets. Usually, teams are only allowed to take anaesthesia bullets and mithril bullets with them. Mithril bullets usage was restricted to fighting against witches, or people equipped with Magical Heritage. Aside from that, they're not allowed to use lethal bullets.

  It was a good sub-weapon, but bluntly speaking its lack of fire-power couldn't be denied. It might not be enough against the unknown trading organization.

  But Ouka specifically chose the gun she was familiar with.

  "............"

  Ouka embodied calmness itself, she didn't make any unnecessary moves. She walked while eliminating any sounds and covered point position flawlessly. As expected of a former Inquisitor, truly deserving the name, that's the impression he had.

  She used gestures to convey the right meaning.

  Takeru signalled her to wait, and spoke to the headset.

  "Usagi, how is it?"

  《"S-sev-seventh floor, office. L-light is on, t-there's two of them."》

  Usagi seemed to be nervous like usual.

  "Okay, seventh floor then."

  《"——I-I'm not really anxious, I'm not nervous e-either, they're looking o-outside, they are really really careful, yeah careful."》

  "What are you talking about, I just asked you about the s
ituation inside."

  While saying that, he noticed something odd.

  "Two people? The client is alone?"

  《"It looks that way, I can only see through the window, so someone might be hidden. H-have I m-messed up something?"》

  The trader was alone, it couldn't be. Organization passing the object through a single collector, then it would make sense for only two people to be there... but is that possible?

  《"Wh-what are we going to do?, sh-should I do it now? I-I'll do it, i-i-it's a piece of ca-ca-cake."》

  It's wasn't convincing when someone said that while biting their tongue.

  "Wait wait, we have to get to the office first."

  Usagi sniping hit rate could be trusted, but they didn't know if there are more enemies inside.

  "Ootori, go around from the other side of the passage, we'll rush in after the signal."

  《"............"》

  "Hey, Ootori?"

  Ouka was squatting in one place and looking at the ceiling that had nothing but air vents.

  What is she doing?

  He thought she was in a daze, so instead of relying on headset he signaled her with gestures.

  《"Affirmative."》

  A bit late, but she made a gesture and disappeared.

  So far so good, let's not screw up now.

  Takeru went up the stairs while being vigilant, he reached the seventh floor and confirmed the entrance to the target room.

  ".....!"

  A single enemy, he was holding a gun while smoking a cigarette.

  "Confirmed one person at room's entrance."

  He reported to other members while waiting for Ouka to come from the opposite side.

  They had to deal with the lookout at the entrance first, otherwise the guys in the office would notice them and it's possible that a firefight will happen once they enter. It was better to blitz in at the same time as Usagi snipes them.

  "Th-then, we'll go at the same time. Usagi will take out the two people inside after making count to three. I'll rush out and act as a decoy and take the lookout's attention, then Ootori will shoot the lookout from behind. Next I'll rush inside the room... umm, like that... is that fine?"

  《"Affirmative."》

  《"T-that's quite a reasonable strategy from you. I u-understand, i-it's alright there's no problem, b-by the way d-do I shoot after counting to zero or to o-one——?"》